You should know these phrases when going to Sri Lanka

To know a few phrases when going to a foreign country is always useful. There are more than just one language that are spoken in Sri Lanka but most of the Srilankan know Sinhala (only in the north where mostly Tamils live it might get tougher with only Sinhala). We think you should know these 21 phrases in Sinhala, the language of the Singhalese people of Sri Lanka.

Helpful phrases in Sinhala

Meet & Greet

How are you?

My name is [Daniela].

What is your name?

Where are you from?

Ko-ho-ma-dha?

Ma-gé na-ma [Daniela].

O-yaa-gé na-ma mo-kak-dha?

O-yaa ko-hén-dha?

Foods and Drinks

I am hungry.

I want/need water.

Ma-ta ba-da gi-ni.

Ma-ta va-thu-ra o-né.

Important words

Yes

No

This

That

owu

nae

mé-ka

é-ka

Health & Emergency

I’m not feeling fine.

I need a doctor.

Help me!

Where is the toilet?

Ma-ta sa-ni-pa nae.

Ma-ta dhos-tha-ra ké-nék-va o-né.

Ma-ta u-dhauw ka-ran-na!

Vae-si-ki-li-ya thi-yén-né ko-hé-dha?

Language related

Do you speak english?

I don’t understand.

O-yaa in-gri-si ka-thaa ka-ra-na-vadha?

Ma-ta thé-rén-né nae.

Shopping

How much?

(It’s) too expensive.

Ki-ya-dha?

Ga-nang vae-di.

Traveling

Let’s go!

I want to go here!

Are there any rooms available?

Ya-mu?

Ma-ta mé-hé-ta yan-na o-né.

Kaa-ma-ra thi-yé-na-va-dha?

Polite Expressions

Please

Sorry / Excuse me

Thank you (very much)

No, thank you

kar-ru-naa ka-ra-la

sa-maa vén-na

bo-ho-ma-is-thu-thi

é-paa, bo-ho-ma-is-thu-thi

Special Expressions

Happy Birthday!

I love you!

Su-ba u-pan dhi-na-yak vé-va!

Ma-ma o-yaa-ta aa-dha-réyi.

If you want to learn how to pronounce these Phrases check out Dilshan’s great Youtube-Video:

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